Warriors seeking stability in football program

Oconee County Principal Mark Channell said on Dec. 6 that he wants the school's football program to get back to stability.

The program is in search of its fifth head coach in eight years following the resignation of Nick Saltaformaggio.

"We want good stability for our kids and for our program," Channell said. "There are coaches that have decided to leave because of more money. There are coaches that have been able to leave because they've been able to get a head job and athletic director position together, which is not available here. I've also had to terminate one. There's a hodgepodge of reasons. Our goal is always, even when we went with coach Salt, to find the very best candidate for our students and school and community because they are our priority."

Oconee County Athletics Director Keith Smith denied on Dec. 5 that Nick Saltaformaggio had resigned, though Saltaformaggio confirmed to the Banner-Herald the same day that he stepped down.

Channell said that he, Smith and Saltaformaggio met on Dec. 5 to construct a news release that would be sent out the next day.

The Banner-Herald did not obtain a copy of the news release.

"All I can tell you is that coach Salt resigned," Channell said. "We meet every year with all of our head coaches at the end the season and discuss things. And coach Salt decided to resign."

Oconee County now is in the beginning stages of its search for a new head coach.

"We're putting together everything now with the district office and we hope to start the process pretty much as soon as possible," Channell said.

"No one ever wants to see a coaching change," he said.

"But, unfortunately, it happens. It happens not only on the high school level, but it happens on the college level and pro level. Coaches find better jobs, they want to do different things, things don't work out the way they wanted them and in some cases some get terminated."

Saltaformaggio left the program after two seasons, Neal Auer was fired after four seasons and back-to-back postseason appearances, Jeff Arnette left for Elbert County after two seasons and Jeff Herron left for Camden County after three seasons following the 1999 season.